Why players need to stay in school to be better, winning, players
September 12 – A research report has found that athletes who study for a second career are more likely to have a more successful sports career.
Performance
CFA to open up China’s playing talent with LaLiga with expanded GoalFuture programme
August 27 – LaLiga and the Chinese Football Association (CFA) have launched a joint elite player and coach development project – GoalFuture – alongside an initiative to develop competitions and promoting youth football in the both the male and female games.
IFAB tells Premier League refs to follow the VAR rules and guidelines
August 23 – After just two Premier League match days and VAR controversy throughout the league, FIFA’s law-making body IFAB has told the Premier League to get in line with a universal usage of the video referee system.
Butler aims for AFCON qualification in new Liberian role
August 23 – Former West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Peter Butler has signed a one-year contract to coach Liberia three weeks before they begin their qualification campaign for the next World Cup.
Morocco appoint Halilhodzic to spearhead Qatar 2022 qualification bid
August 16 – Vahid Halilhodzic has replaced Herve Renard as the new boss of Morocco in a reported three-year deal.
Liverpool and referee Frappart win the plaudits at Super Cup final
August 15 – Liverpool won the European Super Cup on penalties against Chelsea in Istanbul on what was a historic night for women’s refereeing. The reigning European champions prevailed 5-4 from the penalty spot after an extra-time 2-2 draw.
Mane battles Messi and Ronaldo for top Champions League striker gong
August 9 – UEFA has unveiled its shortlist of players for its 2018/19 Champions League positional awards, with five Liverpool players dominating the 12 names that are in contention for the best Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder and Forward awards.
Jury out on Man Utd transfer business as club turns attention to recruiting technical director
August 9 – Manchester United have resumed their search for a technical director after the summer transfer window closed yesterday in England.
Rooney calls end to US stopover for player/coaching role with Derby County
August 7 – Former England captain Wayne Rooney is leaving Major League Soccer in the United States after less than two seasons to return to play in England with second-tier Derby County where he will working under manager Phillip Cocu.
USL outlines plans for a new-launch Academy League in the US
August 7 – The United Soccer League (USL) which runs the second and a third tier league in the US, has announced plans for a USL Academy League and the criteria for its clubs to enter.
CHAN qualifier surprises as Lesotho beat South Africa and Togo end 11-year drought
August 6 – South Africa’s hastily assembled squad has been dumped out of the African Nations Championship qualifiers after a 3-0 defeat to Lesotho on Sunday saw them lose 6-2 on aggregate.
FIFPRO warns of increasing player health dangers in packed match schedule
August 2 – The health of elite footballers is being put at risk by an increasingly overcrowded international calendar that gives them no chance to recover in time, according to their global union, FIFPRO.
Double World Cup winner Ellis steps down as coach of US women’s team
July 31 – Jill Ellis is to step down as head coach of the US women’s football team after leading the country to back-to-back World Cup titles.
Scaloni extends his Argentine contract to end of 2022 World Cup qualifiers
July 31 – Lionel Scaloni has extended his contract with Argentina until the end of the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced.
With China’s walls up, Bale looks set for another season of benchwarming
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Not so long ago he was the world’s most expensive footballer, now Gareth Bale could face the ludicrous situation of sitting on the Real Madrid bench for large chunks of the forthcoming season unless he is somehow snapped up before the summer transfer window closes at various times throughout Europe over the coming weeks.